Articles: nerve-block.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Sep 1992
Interscalene brachial plexus block for shoulder surgery: a proximal paresthesia is effective.
This study was designed to determine whether the location of paresthesias is related to the success of interscalene blocks in providing anesthesia for shoulder surgery. Interscalene blocks were performed in 45 patients presenting for elective shoulder surgery. Interscalene injections of 33-55 mL of 1.5% mepivacaine with epinephrine were performed after the first elicited paresthesia to the shoulder, arm, forearm, or hand. ⋯ The time-course of onset of motor block as evaluated at the shoulder and elbow was not different between patients with shoulder paresthesias and those with more distal paresthesias. Handgrip strength was quantitatively evaluated with a dynamometer, and both paresthesia groups showed similar decrements in hand strength except at the end of the measurement period, when patients with distal paresthesias had a significantly weaker handgrip than patients with shoulder paresthesias. We recommend that paresthesias to the shoulder be accepted in performing interscalene blocks for patients undergoing shoulder surgery.
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A study of 25 patients was carried out to determine the efficacy of interscalene block (ISB) for the treatment of chronic upper extremity pain. An RSD score was used to categorize these patients. Seventeen of the 25 patients had less pain after ISB, and 14 also had increased range of motion of the affected limb. ⋯ ISB was compared with stellate ganglion block (SGB) in patients undergoing both treatments. ISB seemed to be at least as effective as SGB for treatment of RSD/causalgia and may have some advantages over SGB. The role of somatic and sympathetic blockade is discussed.
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Regional anesthesia · Sep 1992
Case ReportsSelective block of nerves in the axillary approach to the brachial plexus.
Optimal surgical conditions for flexor tendon tenolysis in the hand were achieved by ulnar, radial, and musculocutaneous nerve block at the axilla combined with median nerve block at the wrist. ⋯ Palpation of nerves together with a nerve stimulator were used to localize the nerves accurately.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Aug 1992
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialContinuous low-dose 3-in-1 nerve blockade for postoperative pain relief after total knee replacement.
We have investigated the value of a 3-in-1 nerve block, followed by a continuous low-dose infusion of bupivacaine into the femoral nerve sheath for postoperative analgesia after total knee replacement. Thirty-seven patients were randomly allocated to either a control group or a study group. The study group had a catheter placed in the ipsilateral femoral nerve sheath. ⋯ This was followed by a continuous infusion of 0.125% bupivacaine at 6 mL/h. The study group had significantly lower pain scores 4 and 24 h postoperatively (P less than 0.01) and required less postoperative opioid analgesic medication (P less than 0.01) than the control group. The authors conclude that a continuous low-dose infusion into the femoral nerve sheath results in better pain relief than conventional intramuscularly administered narcotics after total knee arthroplasty.